The most successful gospel ensemble in the country has done it yet again! With well over 23 years in the gospel music game, MTN Joyous Celebration seems to be souring high and not looking like it’s getting any tired of its mission, which began in 1994 in KwaZulu Natal. A foundation that was founded by a trio of legends and Executive Producers: Lindelani Mkhize, Pastors Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Mamba.

The 23rd edition of MTN Joyous Celebration was recorded at the scenic city of Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) on the 15 – 18th December 2019.This was the third time that the popular city has hosted the choir for a recording after Joyous Celebration 7 and 12 editions recorded live at The Artscape Theatre and Grand West Arena respectively.

MTN Joyous Celebration 23 was officially released to the public on the 5th April 2019 to much acclaim. The offering consists of 33 songs from across the spectra of gospel influences, ranging from public domain-composed classics, traditional to originally composed tunes from the choir’s talented pool of contributors and composers – guaranteed to cater for a multiplicity of fans. Two popular songs from the recording, ‘Njengendluzela‘ (like gazelle) by Londiwe Nxumalo and ‘Wonginik’umvuzo‘ (You shall bestow upon me a great reward)by Mabusi Shezi were reserved for exclusive download online.

Although there are number of reasons why this latest offering is yet another winner for the successful gospel powerhouse, I have compiled this list of five special reasons why I am certain that it’s one of their best works to date. Allow me to cut to the chase.

1. A first for the choir – Recording over 3 days.

The choir took on the recording period for the very first time in history over three days during the busy December break on the 13 – 15th December 2018. It must have taken hours of band practice, routine and choreography memorization, fine tuning of melodies and voices to deliver a superb show over three days and I believe the final product, as released to the public, speaks for itself.

2. An up & coming designer was used for the choir’s attires.

A lot goes on to their performances, from the dance moves, vocals to their look. Their outfits are a popular talking point as it’s the first item that the audiences see when the choir ascends the stage, even before the opening song is delivered. They usually have two sets to all their shows, with unique outfits for each. Joyous 23 brought two unique outfits that have received mixed reactions from the public, the first attire boasts a distinctive burgundy and white colour while the second one is described as a sporty navy blue and white combo. The choir is using well-established fashion designing teams including ‘Givy’s Designer Events‘ & ‘Dress Me Too‘ both costume development and styling houses are under the stewardship of choir members Given Mabena and Nwabisa Meth respectively and ‘Moal‘ with Wetive Nkosi at the helm. The unique aspect about the costumes for Joyous 23 was the addition of a new up and coming designer by the name of Thabo Khumalo who hails from Soweto, who won the opportunity to showcase his work through a public screening competition. His fashion stable ‘Touch Creations‘ was selected from the pool of entrants to be responsible for the male cast members costume design and production. I wish Khumalo and his team well for their journey with the choir. Talk about opening up the industry for all in a big way!

3. All choir cast members took the spotlight.

The 12-piece band is the choir’s best-prized possession, boasting a high quality sound and unique arrangements and blending that set the standard easily above the rest. The band is an essential component of the choir that should not be forgotten when attributing the praise for the overall sound of the project. In yet another first, all 31 members of the cast participated on all songs in the album, although, as alluded to previously, Lindiwe Nxumalo’s powerful rendition of ‘Njengendluzela‘ and Mabusi Shezi’s (Mabusi also makes an appearance as part of the ensemble on the Unto thee -Medley) were only made available for download on MTN’s Music Time App. The choir’s soprano choir member Snenhlanhla Mncwabe obtained her very first solo for the choir through her rendition of ‘Yifune Inkosi‘ (seek the Lord). New Joyous voices: Pamela Jejane (now alto cast member of the choir) and Buhle Xolo (soprano cast member) made their debut on the worship hymn ‘Unto Thee (Medley)‘. Zamile Mfekayi makes a debut on the choir with ‘Ngimbona lapha kimi‘ (I see the Lord in me), Mfekayi together with Mncwabe also make cameo appearances as well on the all-female song ‘My Worship’. The album included the regular tracks ‘I will wait’ and ‘Hlala nami – wena ongaguquki‘ (Stay with me ye who does not change) by co-founders Pastors Jabu Hlongwane and Mthunzi Mamba respectively and featured artist Tshepo Aaron Nkadimeng who performed ‘Shumela Jehova‘ (Work for the Lord).

4. Infusion of classic traditional gospel hymns – truly encompassing diversity.

The choir experimented quite well with the various gospel sounds, melodies and hymns that are a fundamental basis to our country’s rich religious and traditional gospel backgrounds. With a nation of eleven official languages, diverse means of praise and worship to God are a concoction and the choir tapped into that space with Joyous 23 to embrace the diversity that is part of our DNA. and resulting through embracing religions and creeds. Songs such as ‘Thabang le Nyakalle‘ (Rejoice and be merry) performed by Pastor Given Mabena is a popular hymn amongst the Apostolic churches with a signature brass band addition to the bands and ‘Yesu wena Ungumhlobo’ (Jesus, you are a companion/friend) performed by Esethu Siwe, is a popular hymn within the Methodist churches with its signature hand-held bell and organ sounds (as can be heard particularly at the song’s fantastic introduction). Both songs are performed with distinctive attires (worn by the lead vocalists) that epitomize how authentic they want to retain the treasures and associations to the songs. These songs are a testament to the fact that, although it is evident that the choir is evolving with time, there are some elements of traditional gospel that it still wants to treasure and retain as pristine. The choir is not only diverse but openly embraces different creeds, religions and traditional gospel influences.

5. Breakthrough Performances

A number of breakthrough performances – performances akin to being the highlight of the recording, worth repeating – make up the Joyous 23 offering and I have decided to select one song from each of the three discs.

• Disc 1 – Gospel Silinda (a tenor member of the choir) delivered a unique Xitsonga disco infusion of beats with gospel in his performance of ‘Ndi online‘ (I am online). This unique, trendy and up-beat mixture of familiar beats and sounds sang completely in Xitsonga made this one a stand-out performance. Not only is he putting a unique indigenous mix to the choir, he is doing so while proudly putting his culture and style of music in the spotlight, all of this while visibly having the time of his life on stage. I look forward to seeing more of his work in the near future.

• Disc 2 – by far the most emotive and moving worship song in the album, appropriately positioned to open up the choir’s predominantly worship-themed disc 2, has to go to the choir’s soprano powerhouse underdog, Phumzile Luthuli who delivered an outstanding performance in ‘Jeso Waphila‘ (Jesus is alive). One can beautifully hear how captivating a song this was when the audience is captured to be singing along at the track, composed by former choir member Buhle Thela, nears its end. I appreciated the fact that post-production editing did not omit this special portion of the song.

• Disc 3 – With being part the choir since Joyous 20, almost three years ago, seeing Snenhlanhla Mncwabe finally take the spotlight on her rendition of the public domain and Icilongo Levangeli composed ‘Yifune Inkosi‘ deserves a special mention in the list of breakthrough performances in the album. How gentle she carried the hymn from its initial note to the last and not being in a hurry to get to its powerful and popular chorus, with the choir magically backing her up is a marvel to listen to over and over again. Her taking up the microphone alone is a testament of the fact that indeed, everyone does get the chance to shine in this choir.

And finally…

It was wonderful to see the choir taking the recording to the city of Cape Town but I must add how disappointing it was to witness a small-sized venue like the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with a capacity of 1500, not selling out on neither one of the three shows. Maybe it’s because people were on holiday at that time but it is quite rare that a gospel powerhouse like Joyous Celebration fails to sell-out a venue or maybe this observation is just me being me…

I wish the team all the best as they embark on their nationwide tour and as they prepare for yet another historic recording of MTN Joyous Celebration 24, set to take place in December 2019. I am hoping that they take its recording to other parts of the African continent: Lesotho, Mozambique or eSwatini, as the choir has a strong following and support from our fellow neighbouring countries.